Happy Ever After


.

I've often considered the drama surrounding the modern British Royal family to be the original reality show, so I'm not surprised that over a billion people tuned in this morning for their latest monumental episode. As a romantic who is a sucker for a happy ending, I loved everything about it, especially the balcony kiss, and the happily ever after ride into the sunset in that amazing convertible vintage blue Aston Martin.

Watching that wedding just made me feel good.

As a writer, though,  I couldn't help but think I was watching something out of a chick lit writer's imagination-- a spunky commoner meets the heir to the throne in college and against all odds finds love and manages to become his Princess Bride. Nobody could have written a more romantic, modern fairytale. But let's face it, if someone had written it they might have gotten tons of negative reviews about how "predictable" and "unrealistic the story was."  That's why I think so many of us are so enamoured with this wedding. Looking at Kate and William reminds us that good things really can happen in real life, and amazing twists and turns aren't solely left to the realm of our imagination. It reminds us that our Real Life is still the most fascinating journey we'll ever become immersed in.

So, cheers to one day when we all believe in love, beauty and happy ever afters.

Rave Reviews


.

I got my first review on Amazon for Tethered and it a doozy! Like all writers I write in hopes that someone will love my stories and characters as much as I do so I couldn't believe when I saw this ---

I guess it was just fate how I ended up buying this book. I'm not the type of person to read chick lit at all--never even thought to. But one night, I was just browsing through some forum or another, and I came across a post from this author. The post had a link to her page, and the page had a link to her book. Maybe it was the low price, maybe it was the high word count for the low price, maybe it was just the nice pair of legs on the cover, but for whatever reason, I decided: well, let me go ahead and check this out. And let me tell you, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made as a reader!

"Tethered" chronicles a year in the life of Madison Cherie Baldwin, the first-born daughter of a publication mogul. And at first, it just seemed like one of those typical cookie cutter love stories, the type of book where you can see the ending from page two. But the more I read the more it became clear, this book is anything but cookie cutter.

This book is rich with twists and turns in the plot. The characters are vivid and interesting. The dialogue is very engaging. The comedic timing is right on. And it's all held together by the best part: the narration of the protagonist, Madison.

I'm not an expert of the genre, but I would imagine that it's hard to find a voice that could carry interest for over 120,000 words. It just seems that that would be a monumental challenge. But Madison Baldwin charmed, fought, swooned, joked, and prosed her way through with ease. She is not perfect, but she is enthralling. She's definitely the type of character a reader would love to revisit in a later book.

So if you are contemplating buying this novel, let me tell you, you can't go wrong. I almost feel guilty paying the low price I paid for this. You should snatch this up before Ms. Parker comes to her senses and realizes what she has here. And even if she does raise the price (which I highly recommend), you'll be hard pressed to find an Indie publication with as much appeal and quality storytelling as this.

Christopher Hunter
Author of the "The Days and Months We Were First Born" Trilogy


I understand that this is just one person's opinion and some bad reviews are sure to come, but for now, I'm going to enjoy the fact that somedody liked what I wrote!

Yahoo!


.


Petty Things was published on Yahoo! today. Check it out here.

Also, visit my Under the Hill Blog where you will find my monthly column.

The Promise Land


.


Robb Long/Associated Press
 I'm sure that most of you have heard by now the story of Amanda Hocking, self-publishing wunderkind who made 2 million dollars off her indie fantasy books.

It's every indie publisher's dream come true, finding fame and fortune on your own terms. But as exciting as Amanda's story is, we all need to calm down. Amanda is like one of those oil barons who stuck her drill in the ground and found black gold while others just managed to pick up dirt. In other words, she is the exception, not the norm.

When I first read the story my jaw dropped. I have always fantasized about walking into a book store and seeing my books on the shelves and have fought self-publishing, trying to no avail to go the mainstream route fueled by the thought that, "if your stuff was really any good a publishing house would buy it! " I was slow to warm up to self-publishing and it's benefits but there is no denying that with the slow death of book stores, ebook are the future.

 What I really think is important to take from Amanda's story is that writers write and find a way to share their stories. There are no more excuses for why you can't get your stuff out there. Sure, not every book is going to be a success, hell some won't even be as good as others, but what is important is that if you have that thing inside you, that fire that compels you to sit at the computer and tell the story that plays out in your head that you need to tell it and share it with others. If you keep writing some story will connect with people. You just have to keep at it. But it won't be easy. The fact that Amanda sold her new book series to St. Martin Press shows that even the most successful of e-book publishers feel overwhelmed by it. But she did it and changed her life and helped change the publishing industry as a whole. Now it's our turn.


Tethered Now Available as an Ebook


.

Tethered is now available as an ebook. Check it out for the low cost of .99 cents and enjoy!  Purchase it at: